Humans ; MicroRNAs ; Pulmonary Fibrosis

Objective To observe the effects of melatonin on synaptic plasticity impaired by spinal cord injury in rats. Methods A total of 54 female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham group (n=18), control group (n=18) and melatonin group (n=18). Spinal cord inju-ry model was established with modified Allen's method at T10 (10 g from 25 mm height). The number of neurons and the expression of the Nissl body were detected with immunofluorescence and Nissl staining. The expression of neurofilament-200 (NF-200), brain-derived neuro-trophic factors (BDNF), Synapsin I and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) was detected with Western blotting. Results Seven days af-ter injury, the number of motoneurons, the expression of Nissl body in motoneurons, and the expression of BDNF, Synapsin I and GAP-43 decreased in the control group compared with those in the sham group, and they increased in the melatonin group compared with those in the control group. Conclusion Melatonin can repair the impaired synaptic plasticity, which might promote the functional recovery after spi-nal cord injury.

Objective To investigate changes in plasma levels of D-dimer in patients with prostate hyperplasia(BPH)complicat-ed with acute urinary retention(AUR),and to explore its clinical significance.Methods 102 cases of patients with prostate hyper-plasia complicated with acute urinary retention,treated in this hospital from July 2013 to December 2014,were selected and divided into the simple BPH group(56 cases)and BPH complicated with AUR(BPH+AUR)group.The plasma levels of D-dimer of these patients were detected and comparatively analysed.Results Compared with the simple BPH group,the plasma levels of D-dimer of patients in the BPH+AUR group was increased,had statistically significant difference.(P <0.01).Conclusion The plasma levels of D-dimer in patients with BPH complicated with AUR increase significantly,which indicates that patients are with secondary in-creased fibrinolytic activity.Measures should be taken to relieve urinary retention as soon as possible,so as to protect the vascular endothelial function of patients and reduce the incidence of complications.

Objective:To analyze a novel antigenic determinant of Homo sapiens CMTM1-v17 protein and prepare polyclonal antibody.Methods:By means of DNA recombination method, the C-terminal(The coding sequences of 118-149 residues) of CMTM1-v17 gene was inserted into pGEX-4T-2 vector. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E.coli XL-1 Blue to express the fusion protein of GST/CMTM1-v17. The GST tag of the purified fusion protein was removed by enzymatic cleavage with thrombin. The polyclonal anti-CMTM1-v17 antibody were prepared by immunizing rabbits with the purified protein. Highly-specific, polyclonal anti-CMTM1-v17 antibodies was purified by affinity chromatographic column matrix coupled with antigen. The specificity of the anti-CMTM1-v17 antibody was identified by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.Results:The polyclonal antibody showed specific response to CMTM1-v17 by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. These results suggested that the polyclonal antibody can be used for further studies of CMTM1-v17 function.Conclusion:A polyclonal anti-CMTM1-v17 antibody has been synthesized successfully.

Objective To investigate changes in lengths of the wrist ligaments during wrist radioulnar deviation. Methods Six volunteers were included in the study. CT scans was used to detect the changes under different positions of the wrist in the volunteers. The wrists were scanned from the position of radial deviation of 20° to the one of ulnar deviation of 40° at an interval of 20°. The 3-dimensional carpal and distal radioulnar joint structures were reconstructed with customized software and chauges in length of the palmar and dorsal wrist ligaments in radioulnar deviation were computed. Results From wrist radial deviation to neutral position, the lengths of the radioscaphocapitate ligament, the long radiolunate ligament and the dorsal intercarpal ligament increased significantly (P ＜ 0.05), they increased (2.4±0.3) mm, (2.3±0.8) mm,(1.2±0.6) mm, (1.2±1.2)mm and (2.6±1.0) mm respectively. While from wrist ulnar deviation to neutral position, ulnocapitate ligament and the dorsal radiocarpal ligament increased significantly (P ＜ 0.05), they increased (0.8 ±0.6) nm and (1.0±0.5) mm respectively. Conclusion At wrist radial deviation, the radioscaphocapitate, long radiolunate and dorsal intercarpal ligaments are slack. At wrist ulnar deviation, the ulnocapitate ligament and the dorsal radiocarpal ligament are slack. These positions may be favorable to healing of these ligaments.

Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Diet ; Glycemic Index ; Humans

Objective To investigate the influence of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) on permeability of blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) after spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods 68 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham group, 2 days group (S2), 7 days group (S7) and 14 days group (S14) after SCI with 17 mice in each group. All the groups received a moderate impacted spinal cord injury except the sham group. Evan's Blue (EB) was administered intraperitoneally to detect the permeability of BSCB. Occludin was analyzed by immunofluorescence, the expressions of occludin and MMP-9 were detected by Western blotting. Results After SCI, BMS score significantly reduced, compared with S2 group, S14 group showed a significant increase (P<0.01). The permeability of BSCB was seriously damaged after SCI. Compared with S2 group, S14 group showed a notable down-regulation in the permeability of injured micro-vessels (P<0.05). The expression of occludin was down-regulated and the expression of MMP-9 was up-regulated 7 days after SCI (P<0.05). Compared with S2 group, S14 group showed a significant up-regulation of occludin and a remarkable down-regulation of MMP-9 (P<0.05). Conclusion After SCI, MMP-9 might mediate the expression of occludin to influence the BSCB permeability.

Objective To analyze the correlation factors between CT imaging features of pulmonary embolism(PE)and clinical severity stratification,to explore the value of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA)in acute PE severity stratification.Methods According to the clinical severity,48 patients with acute PE proved by CTPA were classified into two groups,including 21 critical and 27 non-critical patients. Embolism index,ratio of central pulmonary involvement,ratio of right ventricle maximum minor axis (RVMMA)to left ventricle maximum minor axis(LVMMA),namely RV:LV,dilation of main pulmonary and/or right pulmonary trunk,and dilation of bronchial arteries in both groups were analyzed comparatively. The correlation factors between CT imaging features and PE clinical severity stratification were explored.The correlation between RV:LV and embolism index of 48 patients was analyzed.Results Pulmonary embolism index(22.0%—85.0%,median 38.0%),ratio of central pulmonary involvement(42.5%),RV:LV (0.90—1.90,median 1.30),dilation of pulmonary artery(14 cases),and dilation of bronchial artery (8 cases)in critical group(21 cases)were higher than those corresponding factors(5%—48%,median 21.5%,31.25%,0.80—1.40,median 1.00,5 eases,and 3 eases)in non-critical group(27 cases) (Z=4.27,X~2=5.40,Z=2.58,X~2=11.45,X~2=4.87,P

Objective To study the influence of fluoride on the expression of Runx2 in suckling rat osteoblasts. Methods Osteoblasts obtained from calvarium of suckling Wistar rats were cultured in the media supplemented with NaF at different doses(0, 1,2 and 4 rag/L), and Runx2 Mrna expression and protein expression were evaluated by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Results Runx2 Mrna expression in suckling rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro significantly increased after exposure to NaF for 48 h at different doses (0.613±0.055, 0.773±0.070 and 0.775±0.070 for 1,2 and 4 mg/L,respecfively) compared to the control (0.482±0.043 ,P< 0.05). Runx2 Mrna expression further increased after 72 h exposure to NaF(0.969±0.048,1.229±0.061,1.255± 0.063 for 1,2 and 4 mg/L, respectively) ,which is significantly higher than the control(0.724±0.036,P<0.05) and corresponding groups at 48 h. NaF doses and exposure time exhibited a significant synergistic effect on Runx2 Mrna expression (P<0.05). Similarly, NaF also enhanced Bunx2 protein expression in suckling rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro. Significant differences were observed between groups exposed to NaF (1,2 and 4 rag/L) and control at48 h post-exposure (0.141±0.007, 0.143±0.008, 0.143±0.011 vs 0.129±0.012, P<0.05) as well as 72 h post-expesure(0.156±0.014, 0.168±0.018, 0.162±0.0100 vs 0.137±0.016, P<0.05). In addition, Runx2 protein expression at 72 h post-exposure was significantly higher than that at 48 h. Conclusions The results suggested that NaF could increase Runx2 expression in suckling rat osteoblasts with a synergistic effect between the doses and exposure time.

Background Retinitis pigmeutosa (RP) is a progressive inheritance disease.It is characterized by highly genetical and phenotypical heterogeneity.With the rapid development of genomics,new methods are applied to the genetic screening of RP.Objective This study was to characterize the clinical features of a Chinese family with autosomal RP and to screen the candidate genes.Methods Twelve members from this family were included in the study.All participants underwent complete ophthalmologic examinations.Targeted-capture next generation sequencing (NGS) based molecular genetic analysis was performed on two patients of this RP family(Ⅱ5,Ⅱ 7).The DNA sample from the two patients was separately sequenced using custom capture gene chip,which includes 59 retinal disease genes.The sequencing results were analyzed by bioinformatics technology.Identified variations were verified in the rest family members by PCR and Sanger sequencing.This study was approved by Ethic Committee of West China Hospital,and informed consent was obtained from the subjects.Results Four members of this family were diagnosed as RP,and the rest were asymptomatic.Missense mutation (c.3065T＞C,p.Phe1022Ser) in USH2A and missense mutation (c.1699G＞A,p.Ala1319Gly) in PDE6A were found in two patients (Ⅱ 5 and Ⅱ7).The variants were not co-segregated with the phenotype of this family.The causative mutation was not found by the targeted-capture NGS based eye disease chip,but it ruled out a large number of candidate genes for RP.Conclusions Our study suggests that targeted-capture NGS based eye disease chip can quickly detect mutations in known RP genes.It can be a new applicable and efficient method for molecular genetic analysis of ocular disease.